Posts Tagged "hypocrisy"

Need

Posted by admin on Jan 23, 2012 in Contemplations, Featured, Scripture Notes | 0 comments

If you think you have it all together, it’s doubtful Jesus has much for you…

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mat 9:10-13

Those who think they have it all together are usually the ones who look down on those who don’t.  Yet, just as God the Father “opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), Jesus -God the Son- says He comes “not to call the ‘righteous’, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13b, quotes added).

For those who think they have no need of grace, there will be no grace to be found.  For those who know their poverty of spirit, the abundant riches of the grace of Jesus will be poured out on them, to as a great a degree as they are willing to ask for and receive.

The “poor in spirit” are blessed indeed. (Matthew 5:3)

Chinese Drywall (pt.2)

Posted by Phillip on Apr 6, 2010 in Contemplations, Worship Notes | 2 comments

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:16

Chinese drywall could be one of the best things that ever happened to us.

That’s probably not something you’d expect to hear from someone who’s being forced to pack his things and find a new home while the place he lives is ripped apart to remove a biohazard that’s likely been compromising his immune system for months, so let me explain.

Chinese Drywall (pt.1)

Posted by Phillip on Mar 29, 2010 in Contemplations, Worship Notes | 0 comments

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:16

I never thought it would happen to me.

Just the other day, I was thinking and thanking God that out of the dozens of houses in our neighborhood that have been gutted because of Chinese drywall, ours was safe.

“Bummer for them!” I thought, grateful that I wouldn’t have to pack my things, clear them out and wait for months while the place where I live is literally ripped apart to extract the toxic substance so many have been afflicted with.

Then I got the report from my roommate, the homeowner. “They found a few panels and we’ll know in three weeks how bad it is and what happens next.”

I never thought it would happen to me.

I have Chinese drywall.

Now begins the waiting in anticipation of the final report.  How bad is it?  How long until we have to leave so the remediation teams can do their work?  How long will it take, and above all else, how could things have looked so good on the outside but be so toxic on the inside?  Why didn’t we see it coming?